The Belgian defender joined from Arsenal over the weekend for around £15million, and it seems the Catalan fan-base are already favouring him as a first choice selection.

Fans voted in Spanish outlet Marca as to their preffered centre-back partnership, with Marc Bartra being voted alongside Vermaelen.

Vermaelen took 35% of the votes, with Bartra in second with just shy of 25%, leaving Barcelona regular Gerard Pique third, new signing Jérémy Mathieu fourth, and former Liverpool player Javier Mascherano as fifth choice.

Barcelona will be keen to tighten up at the back following their trophyless campaign last time out, and seemingly want a new-look centre-half duo.

Pique rejoined the club from Manchester United in 2008, and has been a regular ever since his return to the Nou Camp. He was often paired with club legend and captain Carlos Puyol as Barca dominated Spain and Europe in recent times.

But Pique’s questionable form last season has seen two new centre-backs join the club, with the majority of fans not even fancying him as a starting player this season.

At the other end of the pitch, Barcelona have looked to add more goals following their disappointing year, and added Luis Suarez from Liverpool. The Uruguayan will not be able to play until late October as it stands, but will likely line-up alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar on his return, to give the club a new threat going forward.

Dan Connor

Dan is a sports journalism undergraduate from Barry, South Wales. He is a club journalist at West Bromwich Albion and a weekly writer for The Independent’s sport section. Previous work for BBC Sport, BBC Radio and Manchester United has seen Dan cover a range of sport such as rugby union, tennis and Formula One. His expertise lies in Welsh football, in particular with Cardiff and Swansea City.